11 Last-Minute New Year’s Eve Hair Ideas, Because There's Still Time

You’ve got the outfit, the location and the hot date (here’s hoping), but what about the hairstyle to accompany your NYE look? According to new stats, one in 10 of us plans how we’re going to style our hair for a night out a fortnight in advance. Alternatively, you can wing it with the rest of us and opt for one of these easy to create party hairstyles. Up or down, curly or straight, it doesn’t matter if you only have seconds on the clock, you’re guaranteed to find something that will suit the New Year celebrations.

Keep scrolling to discover the hairstyles that will take you into 2018.

There’s nothing like a nonchalant, messy topknot (it hides everything from flat hair to greasy roots). But rather than wear it in the middle of your head, position it to one side at a quirky angle. Pull some hair loose at the front and back on the opposite side to balance and even out the placement and you’re good to go. You don’t even need a brush—just use your hands to tug and pull everything into place.

Whether your hair is actually wet or you’ve loaded it with gel sprays and texturiser, the key to making this wearable is to make it appear "damp", not sopping wet and slick. Think towel-dried hair rather than the just-stepped-out-of-the-shower look. A good mousse will be your saviour here—work it through the hair from root to tip using your fingers and then grip back the sides to create the effect of root boost up and over the crown. Then sit back and wait for your natural texture to take over. Job done.

Nothing says "party" like curls. But rather than arduous rollers and waving from root to tip, use a thick-barrelled tong or wand and just loop your hair around the barrel two-three times (depending on the length). Don’t go above your ears, and use thick sections to keep the wave looking uniform. A centre part nudges it into soft 70s territory too—and if that doesn’t say disco, then what does?

If we suggested Pippi Longstocking plaits without the Etam Fashion Week reference, you might think we’d gone mad, but these soft and chunky plaited pigtails that drape over the ears and shoulders have got something about them. Keep everything loose. It’s fine if shorter bits of hair fall free at the front. This is super easy to do and is easy to do in the back of the taxi.

High collars and dramatic eye makeup yearn for an updo that will show off all that effort. This sexy, stylish pullback is the bomb. It’s up to you what you create at the back—a low pony, loose bun or even a chignon would work. If your hair is naturally textured, you’ve got a head start, but if not, wave random sections first using tong, like Lee Stafford Rainbow Shine Wand (£30) to give it some movement. Rather than using bands and bobbles to secure, use hair grips that won’t pinch or pull the hair from the root.

Party hair doesn’t have to be complicated. There’s something about straight hair that instantly makes you look sophisticated and put together, even after all the bubbly you’ll be drinking. A straightener and smoothing cream (we swear by Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Balm (£18)) annihilates frizz and keeps you looking polished. To finish, tuck your hair behind your ears or grip it into place and allow the back sections of hair to overlap and fall forward.

If you only have 30 seconds to spare before your guests/taxi/date arrives, grab two thin sections of hair on either side of your face, plait them and secure with a clear band or backcomb the ends to stop the plait unwinding. It really is that simple, and people will salute you for still making an effort.

Adding a hair accessory is a surefire way to win at last-minute hairstyles. It makes everything look special, even if you’re styling your hair the same way you wear it to the office every day. Play with positioning too. At La Perla’s show, hair was rollered and then clipped about an inch and a half away from the parting line. And don’t be put off if your fine hair makes your accessories struggle to stay in place. Just comb the section of hair you’re fixing and spray your accessory with hair spray first for extra grip.

Remember those plastic loops that flip and reverse ponytails? Well, this is the updated version. It’s simple to master: just divide your hair in two, twist each section round until they meet in the middle at the back and secure into a pony. Then loop the ponytail back up and over the band and pull through. Sounds complicated, but really it’s just a fancy knot.

Look at where you would usually part your hair, then move it across an inch. Low side partings have a knack for making your style look incredibly chic, and if you can master a gentle marcel wave at the front that sweeps across your forehead, even better. Use grips and hair spray to hold and then pull all of your hair round to one side. It’s an instant outfit transformer.

No time to brush your hair? Say hello to coloured hair extensions. It might sound crazy, but just by clipping in a few chunky strands that stand out against your natural colour, you’ll have done enough to look like you’ve made an effort. Plus, you won’t have to use up any product or valuable time.